Web registering apparatus



4 Sheets-Sheet l ATOR EY- March 16,- 1954 M. G. JONES WEB REGISTERING APPARATUS Fired April 23, 1.951

M. G. JONES WEB REGISTERING APPARATUS March 16, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 25, 1951 m0 Nd E VT m7 m A R G L M H M ATTORNEY.

March 16, 1954 M. G. JONES WEB REGISTERING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 23, 1951 INVENTOR. T JONES -M/cHAL-L GRA VA T AT f ORNE Y.

March 16, 1954 M. G. JoNEs WEB REGISTERING APPARATUS Filed April 23, 1951 4 Sheets-SheetI 4 U JONLZOU W` ON QQNQ mvg g INVENTOR. MICHAEL GRAVATT IJONEJ)` gil/YM@ A TTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 16,A 1954 WEB REGISTERING APPARATUS Michael Del., a

G. Jones, Fredericksburg, to American Viscose Corporation,

corporation of Delaware Va., assignor Wilmington,

Application April 23, 1951, Serial No. 222,461

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a winding apparatus. More particularly it relates to an apparatus for winding continuous non-porous films, bands, ribbons, or webs into even, smooth rolls. The invention is further particularly concerned with an electronic device or mechanism employed in conjunction or combination with the mechanical winding mechanism for insuring an even and smoothly wound roll as well as an improved wound roll.

The present invention is applicable to the winding of non-porous iilms, bands, ribbons, sheets, webs, and the like made from various materials by extrusion, casting, etc., such as regenerated cellulose made from viscose or cupi-ammonium cellulose, cellulose esters and ethers, for example, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, benzyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, etc. mixed cellulose esters and ethers, resinous materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, etc., and copolymers thereof, rubber and rubber derivatives, synthetic rubbers, etc. For purposes of simplicity, however, the present invention will be shown and described as it is applicable to winding a continuous film of regenerated cellulose made from viscose, more commonly known as cellophane, it being understood that this is done merely in an illustrative sense and the invention should not be limited thereby, but only insofar as the same may be limited by the appended claims.

As is well known, cellophane is usually manufactured by extruding or casting a viscose solution through an elongated slit into a suitable coagulating bath, then regenerating, desulfurizing, bleaching and plasticizing the extruded film by continuously passing it through successive treating baths. The film is then dried bypassing it over a plurality of drying rollers and then wound in the form of a roll under slight tension. Obviously such a machine is of considerable length, and the film will shift back and forth on the rollers transverse of the direction of travel during production. Since the roll or core on which the nlm is Wound is normally in fixed position, the edges of the wound roll are highly uneven. This unevenness, in addition to being unsightly, causes difficulty in subsequent operations, such as in the coating of the cellophane.

More important, however, when extruding a viscous film-forming solution through an elongated slit, such as in the case of viscose, the extreme edge portions are thicker than the rest of the nlm. This thick edge is commonly referred to in the art as a bead It is the usual desired practice to wind continuous sheet materials with the edge of the sheet continuously winding upon itself and with each succeeding convolution flush with the preceding eonvolutions. However, when regenerated cellulose and other non-porous nlms, and the like, are wound in this manner, the bead, being thicker, will cause a greater roll diameter at the edges. This subjects the edges to greater tension than the rest of the film causing the edges to stretch and become oppy. These oppy edges cause great difficulty during the coating operation and in addition a considerable portion of the iiim close to the edges is stretched during winding and must subsequently be slit or cut ofi which causes increased waste.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new apparatus for winding non-porous films, etc. which overcomes the aforementioned diiiiculties and disadvantages. It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus for winding non-porous nlm which will automatically shift as the lm shifts transverse of the direction of travel thereof so as to wind a roll having smooth edges and in addition continuously traverses the winding roll carriage back and forth through a predetermined distance so as to prevent the bead from winding upon itself, the traversing distance being of such a length so as not to materially detract from the edge smoothness of the finished wound roll. It is a specific object of the invention to provide a film winding apparatus having in combination therewith a light sensitive electronically controlled means for traversing the roll carriage. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the drawing and description thereof hereinafter.

The objects of the present invention are in general accomplished by winding the nlm, etc., on a roll or core mounted on a shaft or positioned between rotatable holders which are movable transversely of the direction of travel of the lm.

Transverse movement of the roll of lm is accomplished by a side register reversible motor which is connected to an electronic circuit comprising a photocell or scanning head also mounted for movement transverse of the direction of film travel. The photocell is so mounted that it moves in the same direction and at the same rate as the windup roller shaft or carriage. The scanning head or photocell is mounted above a roll preceding the windup roller and positioned above one edge of the nlm passing thereover. The photocell is sensitive to both an increase and decrease of reflected light and by means of the electronic circuit actuates telephone-type relays and thermal relays which in turn actuate the side register motor to move the windup roller carriage.

As hereinafter explained in detail, the scanning head is mounted and so adjusted that the windup carriage will be continuously traversed back and forth through a predetermined distance which may be as great as one inch, but is preferably of the order of 1A; to 1/2 inch. In addition, the electrical system is so hooked up that the photocell will hunt or seek the lm so that when the nlm moves too fai` to one side the roll carriage will be moved over accordingly so as to insure an even winding at all times. The system is entirely automatic although means are provided for working the apparatus by hand., that is, a hand operated push button station is connected in series with the electric circuit. Limit switches are provided to limit the transverse movement of the windup roll carriage to within reasonable and practical limits and in addition to prevent damage to the roller carriage and apparatus connected thereto.

For a more detailed description of the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing which is merely intended to be illustrative and not limitative and in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation view partially in section of the windup apparatus,

Figure 2 is a right side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure l,

Figure 3 is a left side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure l,

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic View of the electrical system employed in the invention, and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electronic circuit housed in the side register control panel shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figures l, 2 and 3 of the drawing, a sheet of cellophane 4, coming from the drying section of the casting machine, passes under a guiding roll and then over a scanning roll 6 to windup roller or core 'i mounted for positive rotation. The guiding and scanning rolls are mounted on the machine frame 8 and positively driven at the same rate of speed and by the same means employed for driving the drying rolls (not shown).

Usually and preferably, cellophane and like non-porous film is wound on cores made of pressed fibers, plastic, or similar material of sufficient strength to support several hundred pounds of nlm wound thereon. The core 'l is supported at its end by the and it. The core 'l fits into the annular groove ll of chuck S and into the annular groove l2 of chuck l5. Chuck IE is movable transversely of the direction of travel of the nlm by means of the handwheel It mounted on` the threaded shaft I4 which in turn engages the slidably mounted shaft l5 in the bearing or housing iii. The chuck Il) is rotatably mounted on shaft li and moves with it transversely of the nlm travel by reason of plate I1 bolted to the end of shaft le which holds bearing raceway lla against shaft l5. A ring lila holds raceway lib in place, the ring ita being in turn held in place by the plate ita'. bolted to chuck l). When the hand-wheel i3 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, shaft I5 moves tc the right as viewed in Figure l. In this manner, a core is readily placed in the chuck and held firmly for rotation therewith.

Bearing l5 is mounted on the bracket la which in turn is mounted on the shaft i9. Shaft I9 is rotatable chucks 9 non-rotatable but is movable transversely of the direction of travel of the film and is supported in bearings 2li and 2l mounted on the supporting brackets 22 and 23 respectively Chuck 9 is mounted on shaft 24. Shaft 2d passes through bearing 25 which is mounted on a bracket 2B extending upwardly from shaft 1S. Bearing 25 is held in position on shaft 2li 'by collars 21 and 28 which are keyed to shaft 24. Shaft 24 extends through a sleeve 2d, gear-housing 3c and bearing 3| which is mounted on the supporting bracket 32, through the limit switch housing Se and bearing 34. The housing 33 is mounted on bracket 35 attached to the main supporting bracket 32.

A sprocket 3S is mounted in the housing 39 on a sleeve 3'! which in turn is splined to shaft 24. A chain 35 is connected between sprocket 3B and sprocket B on shaft 39 of motor al. The motor 4l rotates shaft 2t and core i to wind up the nlm 4. Collared to shaft 24 in housing 33 is a freely rotatable disc d. Fastened in the upper walls of housing 33 are limit switches 43 and 44. These switches, as hereinafter more fully explained, control the transverse movement of shaft 24 by reason of disc 2 contacting the same.

Shaft lc and bearing 2d are splined as at illu to prevent rotation of shaft it. However, shaft i9 has a sliding fit with bearing 2B. There is a partially threaded opening in the end of shaft it into which extends the threaded shaft ce supported for rotation in bearing l1 which is in turn fastened to bearing 2d. Shaft 43 is so mounted as not to be capable of transverse movement. A sprocket :le is fastened to shaft 4t which in turn is connected to a sprocket do on shaft 5B of the reversible motor 5l by a chain 52. Motor 5l is mounted on a bracket 53 to bracket 22. A metal shield 52a covers the sproci; ets 43 and 4S and the chain 52. When sprocket 4S is rotated in a clockwise direction, shaft i9 is moved to the left, as viewed in Figure l, until disc 42 contacts limit switch i3 cutting off motor :'al. Likewise limit switch et, when contacted by disc 2 when shaft i9 is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 1, also cuts off motor 5l. The limit switches are employed as a safety measure and are only rarely actuated as will be explained hereinafter in connection with the operation of the invention.

Shaft 24 extends through the bearing 3s and is pivotally connected to a link 54 by means of a yoke 24a which is movable axially with shaft 24 but which is free to turn on said shaft. The link 54 is rigidly attached to one end of the shaft 55. Shaft 55 is mounted in bearings b5 and 51 attached to brackets 58 and 59 respectively. On the other end of shaft 55 there is rigidly attached a link which in turn is pivotally connected to a link El which is pivotally connected to a slidably mounted rod 62. Rod 62 is mounted in bearings 63 and 64 on bracket t5 which is fastened to brackets 59 and 66, the latter extending upwardly from machine frame 8. Rod 52 extends out over the scanning roll 6 and has a bracket Si adjustably fastened thereto which supports the photocell or scanning head S8 above the scanning roll d. This head comprises a light source 68a and a photocell V. It is to be noted that the surface of roll S is black and preferably non-light-reflecting. A lacquer or coating composition of some kind containing slate applied to the roll surface is satisfactory. Hence, by means of the linkage just described attached between rod 62 and shaft 24, the photocell or scanning head 68 is moved transverse of the lm direction simultaneously with and at the same rate of speed and in the same direction as the shaft 24 and core 1 carrying the film windings.

Extending upwardly from bracket 65 is a supporting bracket 69 to which are fastened the side register control panel 10 and the constant voltage transformer 1| both of which are described in detail hereinafter.

While the apparatus in Figures l, 2 and 3 is shown with only one wind-up roll or core, the invention is equally applicable to a system where a plurality of wind-up rolls or cores are employed arranged on a suitable turret head.

Reference should now be had to Figures 4 and 5 for a description of the electrical and electronic circuits of the present invention. A power source P comprising 440 volts, 3-phase, 60-cycle, is connected by lines 12, 13 and 14 to switches 15, 15 and 11 in the reversible starter' 18. Lines 19, 80 and 8| connect switches 15, 16 and 11 to terminals 82, 83 and 84 on the reversible motor 5| which moves the core 1 and shaft 24 back and forth transversely of the direction of film travel. Line 19 has a fuse 85 therein and line 8| a fuse 86 therein. Lines 12, 13 and 14 are connected to switches 81, 88 and 89 respectively by lines 90, 9| and 92, switches 81, 88 and 89 being in turn connected to the terminals of switches 11, 13 and 15 respectively, to which lines 8|, 80 and 19 are attached, by lines 93, 94 and 95.

Lines 96 and 91 connect power source P with the transformer 98 which converts 440 volts to 115 volts. Lines 99 and I 00 connect transformer 98 with terminals |0| and |02 respectively of switch |03. Lines |04 and |05 connect terminals |0| and |02 with terminals |06 and |01 of switch |08. Switches |03 and |08 are closed during operation of the apparatus. Terminal |09 of switch |03 is connected by line I |0 to terminal of the reversing switch ||2 which is provided with a cam follower or button |I2a. Line ||0 has a line I 3 connected thereto which is also connected to the terminal I |4 of the timer switch I5 in the push-button station I|8 which is provided for manual operation of the apparatus. Line ||1 connects the terminal I8 of the timer switch with terminal I I9 on the normally open side |20 of the reversing switch ||2. The normally closed side I2| of switch I|2 is connected by line |22 to terminal |23 of switch |24 in relay |25. Line |26 connects terminal |23 to terminal |21 of switch |28 in relay |29.

Switch |24 is connected by line |30 to the switch |3I in the thermal relay |32. Switch |28 is connected by line I 33 to the switch I 34 in the thermal relay |35. Switch |3| is connected to one side of coil |36 in the reversible starter 18, which when energized closes switches 15, 16 and 11, by line |31. Switch |34 in thermal relay |35 is connected to one side of coil |38 in the reversible starter 18, which when energized closes switches 81, 88 and 89, by line |39. The other side of coil I 38 is connected by line |40 to limit switch 43 and the other side of coil |38 is connected by line I4| to limit switch 44. Limit switches 43 and 44 are in turn connected to-terminal |42 in switch |03 by lines |43 and |44 respectively, and hence to the power source through transformer 98.

In the push button station H3, there is a switch contactor |45 which when shifted (by pushing its push button) from its normal position of rest shown moves the roll or core carriage to the left, as viewed in Figure 1, and a switch contactor |46 which when shifted (by pushing its push button) from its normal position of rest shown moves the roll or core carriage tothe righ As shown, both switches |45 and |46 are in their normal position of rest wherein both circuits through them are open. When the timer switch ||5 is pressed against terminals ||4 and ||8, the circuit through motor |49 is completed between 99 and |00 through |09, ||0, |I3, II4, ||8, ||1, ||9, |48, (|49), |50, |42, and |02. Operation of motor switch I2 to be removed from the indentation on cam |41 thereby closing the normally open switch |20 and opening the normally closed switch |2I. Closing of switch |20 completes the circuit from the transformer 98 through line 99, switch |03, line I0, switch I 20, line |48 connecting switch |20 with motor |49 which rotates cam |41, line |50 connecting the motor |49 with switch I 03,I and through line |00 back to the power source through transformer 93. Cam |41 will make one revolution whereupon the indentation cornes around to the position shown which willV cause switch |20 to reopen and switch I 2| .to close thus breaking the circuit to the motor |49 and stopping cam 41. While switch |20 is closed the push button station is in .condition for initial adjustment by manually shifting either contactor |45 or contactor |46 and by reason of switch |2| being open the automatic system under the con` trol ofthe photocell is inoperative. The time it takes cam |41 to make one revolution determines the time the system may be operated by hand. Any convenient time may be chosen, one minute, for example, being satisfactory. There are six terminals in the push button station ||3 connected by lead lines asfollows: I5| and |52 connected by line |53; line |54 connected to terminals |5| and ||8; |55 and |58 connected by line 51; |58 and I 59 connected by line terminal I6I is connected by line |62 to the coil |36 in the motor reversing starter 18, and terminal I 63 is connected by line |84 to coil |38 in the motor reversing starter 18.

The push buttons |45 and |46 are inoperative unless the timer push button ||5 is depressed closing switch |20. When this condition exists then pressing button |45 causes the core carriage to be traversed or shifted to the left, as viewed in Figure l, by motor 5| by reason of the completion of the circuit from the power source through transformer 98 through line S9, switch |03, line H0, switch |20, line line |54, contactor I 45, line |80, contactor |45, line I 52, coil |36 (which is energized), line |48, limit switch 43, line |43, switch |83, and line |30 back to the power source 98. The energization of coil |38 closes switches 15,15, and 11 thus completing the circuit from power source P to motor 5| which moves the core to the left. When button I 48 is depressed the core carriagemoves to the right, as viewed in Figure l. The circuit from the power source through transformer 98 and then through switch |20 is the same as above described, then through line l1, line |54,-]ine |53, contactor |45, line |51, contactor |43, line |54, coil |38 (which is energized), line |4|, limit switch 44, line |44, switch |33, and line |00 back to the power source 88. The energization of coil |38 closes switches 81, 88, and 89 thus completing the circuit from power source P to motor 5| which moves the core to the right. This circuit, through switches 81 to 89, causes motor 5| ,to rotate in the opposite direction from that when switches i5 to 11 are closed. This is the .manual or hand operated system for moving the windup |49 causes the button ||2a oi.A

core to right or left of the direction of 4travel of the nlm. This manual system is advantageous in certain instances, such as at the start of operation or when there is ,a film break and it is desirable `or necessary to center the cor-e with respect to the ilrn. Also the manual system is useful whenever it is necessary to more the core through a lgreat distance quickly. However, the invention is primarily concerned with the automatic system which is in opera tion when the push button vstation is inoperative, that is when switch |20 is open and switch I2i is closed, such as is the case when timer button I|5 is not depressed. The setup and .operation of the automatic windup traversing system is de scribed below.

Terminals |55 and It of switch |08 are connected by lines |61 and |68 respectively to terminals I' and 4 respectively on the side register control panel l0. These lines furnish the power from the transformer 98 to the `transformer (shown at the left of Fig. 5) in the panel and thus to the electronic circuit housed therein and described hereinafter. Switch S controls the cutting in or out of the automatic electronic system and is located directly above the panel 'it and supported thereon (see Figure l). A series of terminals Il to |0" and il', l2' and I3' are located on panel l0. The photo tube V in the scanning head 6B is connected to terminals l?! and I3', terminal I|' being a ground connection, and the light source or bulb etc in the scanning head |58 is connected to `terminals 5' t. Jumpers are placed across terminals i 3', and 2 and ll'. to switches |69 and |10 respective`y of relay CRf-I and in addition terminal 'E' is connected by lead line to switch I'.'2 in relay |2 and terminal 8 is connected to switch H3 in relay by line |14. Terminals 8' and it are coni nected to switches |15 and |16 respectively ci relay ICRA and in addition terminal 9' is connected by line I'|'| to switch |13 in relay IZQ and terminal I0 is connected by line I'l to switch |12 in relay |25. Line terminal 4 with relays CR-I and CR-2.

Terminal 3 is connected by line ISil to the coil |8I in relay |25 and to the ccil |32 in relay |29 by line |8il and line |83 attached thereto. Coil I8| is connected by lines |845 and |85 to the thermal relay |32 and coil |82 is connected by lines |85 and |81 to the thermal relay la. A line |88 is connected between coil isi and line |'|I in relay |25 and a line |88 is connected between coil |82 and line in relay ld. It can readily be seen that relays and |32 comprise a unit which is actuated by relay CPV-i and relays I2@ and |35 a unit actuated by relay CPV-2. Relay CR-I is actuated by a light-decrease, as hereinafter explained in detail, and by actuating relays |25 and |32 causes the core carriage to be moved to the left, as viewed in Figure l. Relay CR-2 is actuated by a light increase and by actuating relays |29 and |35 causes the core carriage to be moved to the right.

, Reference should be had to Figure 5 for a description of the electronic circuit housed in the panel 1%. Lines |61 and |53, connected to terminals I' and 4', conduct 115 volt A. C. to the primary side of transformer T-I and to the primary side of transformer 'l which conducts the proper current to the light source 68s. A full wave high vacuum rectier V-2 and a lter K are employed to insure a steady, non-fluctuating D. C. flow. There are also employed two twin triode Terminals I and t' are connecte-d c lle connects amplifier tubes V-3 and pli-ner triode V-5. Line |80 connects the power source with the cathodes of tubes V-3, V-il and V-S. The filaments of Tube V-3 are connected to transformer T| by lines |9I and |92. The filaments .of tube V-ll are connected to transformers T-I by lines |93 and |94, and the fdament of tube V-B is connected to transformer T-I by lines |85 and Iile joined to lines |93 and |94 respectively. Line |51 is connected between the power source and coil |98 oi relay CR-I and coil |99 of relay CR-2, coil |98 being connected to plate 2GB of tube V-l and coil |99 being connected to plate 20| of tube V-4. Line 202 is connected between line |91 and the plate of tube xT-5. Lines 203 and 204 are connected between line |51 and plates 255 and 206 respectively of tube V-3. Lines 201 and 208 are connected between lines 203 and 204 respectively, and the grids of tube V-4.

Line 26s connects line |91 with the potentiometer or dead zone control C. Line 2|!) connects potentiometer C with potentiometer or balance control D. Line 2id is connected by line 2|| to terminal i3'. Line 2|i connects potentiometer D with terminal ll. The arm of the potentiometer C is connected by line 2|3 to the grid of tube V-'c' and the arm of potentiometer D is connected by line 2M to one of the grids of tube V-3. The arm of the multiple-point rotary switch or sensitivity control E is connected by line M5 to the other grid of tube V-3. The arm of the sensitivity control E is also connected by line 2id to terminal I2'. Line 2|I connects the contact points of switch E with the nlaments of tube V-.V

As previously pointed out, the present invention is designed to continuously traverse a windup roll of cellophane through a predetermined distance to prevent the bead from winding upon itself and at the same time follow the film as it deviates from the desired path to insure an evenly wound roll. Photoelectric means are employed to correct for the lateral deviation of the lm and also to traverse the windup roll or core carriage continuously. The phototube is responsive to both increase and decrease in light reaching the sameand functions to pick up or drop out telephone-type relays CR-l and (3R-.2.

The beam of light is of sufficient size so as to produce a dead zone `equal in width to the distance through which the roll or core carriage is to be traversed. The dead zone is the center portion of the light beam and when the edge of v the nlm is resting therein neither relay should be picked up or energized. However, due to the wiring system employed in the present invention the relay picked up prior to the nlm edge entering the dead zone stays picked up until the nlm edge passes through the dead zone and the same is true in the reverse directions. 1n this way, there is a continual traversing since one relay must stay locked in until the iilm edge passes through the dead zone to pick up the other relay. The dead zone may be of ,any desired width but preferably isv from to l@ inch in width this being sufcient for all practical purposes. The term dead zone as used herein may be defined as an increment or decrement of light impulse directed to the photoelectrio cell which increment or decrement as the case may be is insuicient to energize the high light impulse relay or the low light impulse relay.

The motor 5| may be geared to move the core carriage at any rate of speed. However, speeds up to one foot per minute are sufficient. vThe V-d and a detector 'am traversing speed will, of course, depend upon the distance through which the core is to be continually. traversed and in addition upon the R. P. M. of the film forming or treating machine, i. e. the speed with which the film is to be wound. For example, when winding thirty-gram cellophane at a speed in the range or" 50 to 80 R. P. M. the traversing distance may be equal to inch and the traversing speed approximately 3 inches per minute.

In the following description of operation of the invention, all references to direction, etc., such as right and left, are made with respect to the apparatus as it is shown in Figure l, since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the entire system could be reversed, that is, the scanning head, etc., could be mounted above the other side or end of the scanning roll.

At the start of operation, switches |03 and |08 are` open while the machine is being threaded.

After the lm has started to wind up on core 1,

the scanning head |58 is positioned a little to one side or the other of the iilm edge. This may be done by adjusting the scanning head along the rod or shaft 92 or by closing switch |03 and operating the push button station H8, hereinbefore described. Then switches |83 and |08 are closed and for purposes of description assume that thescanning head is positioned above the iilm so that an increased amount of light, due .to the reilective properties of cellophane, is being received thereby.

When the phototube V receives an increased .amount Vof light it passes more current which gives a more positive bias on the grid of tube V-9 attached to line 2| 5. As plate 205 goes nega- .tive the grid of tube V4 attached to line 281 goes negative and the grid attached to line 209 goes 'positive by an equal amount. When the latter grid of tube V-ll is sufficiently positive suicient current passes through plate 20| so that relay (JR-2 picks up. The left hand section of tube V-4 being negative it does not conduct and relay CR-l remains dropped out. When there isa decrease in light reaching the phototube the system just described works in reverse and relay CR-l picks up and relay CR-2 remains dropped out.

When the current flows through plate 20|,

coil|99 is energized which causes the normally closed switch |16 to open and the normally open switch |15 to close. This completes the circuit through line |80, |83, 'coil |82, line |89, line |11, switch |15 and line |19, the terminals 3 and 4 being connected to the power source, Coil |82, being energized, closes switches |13, and |28 thus completing the circuit through line |14 and switch |10 in relay CR|, the purpose of which is explained hereinafter. At the same time, the circuit is completed to the thermal relay |35 through lines |88 and |81. The thermal relay is `so chosen that it takes five seconds for the bimetallic member therein to heat up and cause switch |34 in the thermal relay |35 to close. When switches |28 and |34 are closed a circuit is completed from the power source 9B, through line 99, switch |83, line H0, switch 2|, line |22, switch |28 in relay |29, switch |84 in thermal relay |35, line |39, coil |38 in the reversing starter 18, line |4I, right limit switch 44, line |44, switch 8-3 and line |00 back to the power source. This energizes coil |38 which closes switches 81, 88 and 89 in the reversing starter 18 completing the circuit from power source P to the reversible .motor This causes the motor 5| to rotate the dead zone relay Clt-2 drops out, i. e. switch |15 opens and switch |16 closes. However, and this is an important feature of the invention, the circuit through relays |29 and |95 is not broken and the core 1 is still moved to the right. This is so because the circuit is still complete through line |89, coil |82, line |89, switch |18, line |14 and the normally closed Switch |10 of relay CR-|, and line |19 al1 of which make up a holding circuit. In other words, relay CR-I is tied into relay C12-2 and vice versa. Therefore, the motor 5| continues to move the core and scanning head to the right until the lm edge passes through the dead zone and there is a decrease in ngnt picked up by the pwtotube.

When the phototube V receives a decrease in light, relay CR-l picks up due to the energization of coil |98 which causes the normally open switch 89 to close and the normally closed switch |10 to open. When switch |18 opens it breaks the holding circuit to relays |29 and |35 dropping them out. Switches |28 and |34 open breaking the circuit to the coil |38 in the reversing starter 18. Switches 81, 88 and 89 open breaking the circuit to motor 5| which stops thus stopping the rightward movement of core 1 and scanning head 18. When switch |69 closes it completes the circuit through line |80, coil |8| in relay |25, line |88, line |1|, switch |80 and line |19. Coil |8|, being energized, closes switches |12 and |24. Therefore a circuit is completed through switch |12, line |18, switch |18 in relay CRFZ and line |10. At the same time, the circuit is completed to the thermal relay |92. After five seconds, switch |3| in the thermal relay is closed thus completing the circuit from the power source 98, line 99, switch |03, line 0, switch |2|, line |22, switch |24, line |30, switch |3l, line |31, coil |39 in the reversing starter 18, line 40, left limit switch 43, line |43, switch |03 and line |00 back to the power source. Coil |38 is thus energized closing switches 15, 18 and 11 in the reversible starter 18 completing the circuit from power source P to the reversible motor 5|. This causes the motor 5| to rotate sprocket 49 in a clockwise direction moving the core 1 and the scanning head to the left. As the light beam again comes into contact with the lm and the edge hits or contacts the dead zone relay CR- I drops out, i. e. switch |89 opens and switch |10 closes. Here again, as in the case of relay C11-2, the circuit through relays |25 and |82 is not broken and core 1 is still moved to the left, because coil |8| stays energized and switches |12 and |24 remain closed by reason of the completed holding circuit through line |80, coil |8|, line |88, switch |12, line |18, and the normally closed switch |15 of relay CER-2, and line |19. Relay CR2 is tied into relay CR-I and holds relays |25 and |32 in until the film edge passes through the dead zone and phototube V picks up an increase in light when CR2 picks up and switch |18'opens breaking the circuit through relays |25 and |32 and thus stopping motor 5|. The ve second delay in starting motor 5| is advisable to prevent overheating of the same.v

Thus it can be seen that the roll or core traverse is equal'to the width of the dead zone since in either direction the lm edge must pass through the dead zone before there is a change in the direction of rotation ofthe reversible mo- 'tor 5i.

Ii, while the core is being traversed in one direction, the film should shift in the same direction, the particular relay 'CR-l or C12-2, will remain cut in and the scanning head will follow the nlm, and likewise the core, until the f1lm edge is caught-up with and passes through the dead zone giving a change in light reaching phototube V. Thus it can be seen that not only is the core or roll, upon which the film is being wound continually traversed so as to prevent the bead from winding upon itself, but also the core or Vroll is moved to follow the film as it may deviate from a straight line as it comes from the forming or treating machine. There is thus insured an evenly wound roll with the elimination of Vfloppy edges.

It is to be noted that in Figure 5 there is shown dead zone, balance and sensitivity controls C, D, and E respectively which are represented by the knobs 3%, 361, and EQ2 respectively on the face of panel 'l0 (see Figure 2). The sensitivity control E, as previously pointed out, is a rotary switch having a plurality of contacts clockwise rotation of which increases the sensitivity of the system such that less movement of the film edge is required to operate the relays CR-l and CR-Z. Clockwise rotation of the balance control tends to drop out relay CPL-2 and pick up relay CR-I. Clockwise rotation of the dead zone control will widen the dead zone thus in addition to choosing a beam of light having a certain width dead zone, the, width oi that dead sone can be additionally controlled from. the panel 'lil housing the electronic circuit.

In order to adiust the balance control, the lm is moved completely into the scanning area thus allowing a maximum amount of light to reach the phototube V' which causes relay CR-2 to. piclr` up. The balance control 3M is then turned in a counter-clockwise direction until CR-Z drops out and the position of the pointer is noted. Then the material is removed from the scanning area which causes relay CR-l to pick up. The balance control Sill is turned in a clockwise direction until relay CR-I drops out and the position oi the pointer is noted. The correct balance point is midway between the Vtwo positions noted as indicated. Each timey the sensitivity control is changed, the balance ccntrol must bereadjusted.

'The purpose of the limit switches 43- and 44, connected in series with the circuits hereinbeiore described, is to limitthe transverse movement of the roll carriage, either right or left, and. thus prevent possible damage Should the film deviatey too iarfrom a straight line while coming through the forming or treat'- ing machine, and the like, so that one or the other of the limit switches 42 and the circuit broken before the scanning head has caught up with the lm edge, suitable readjustment of the film along the machine', prior to reaching the windup apparatus, must be made'. This phenomenon very rarely occurs however and is easily taken care of by conventional means, not the subject of this invention.

Numerous advantages of the present invention, not hereinbefore specifically pointed out, will be apparent from the description and drawing of the invention.

Various changes may be made in the drawing and description of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof asA clened in the appended claims.

to the equipment.

i3 or d4 is contacted by disc Iclaim:

l. An apparatus for winding non-porous film comprising in combination, a lm wind-up roll mounted for rotation and reciprocable movement transverse of the direction of film travel, roller means mounted transverse of the direction of film travel and preceding the Wind-up roll along the path of the film, adjustably mounted photoelectric means positioned above the roller means, lever means connecting the photoelectric means with the wind-up roll shaft for simultaneous transverse movement therewith, means for moving the wind-up roll transverse of the iilm travel, relay means for actuating the moving means, an electronic circuit connecting the photoelectric means with the relay means, and electrical means connected to the relay means to move the wind-up roll back and forth through a predetermined distance.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim l wherein the electrical means comprises thermal relay means.

3. An apparatus as dened in claim 2 wherein there are limit switch means positioned adjacent the wind-uproll shaft, said limit switch means being connected in series with the relay means and limiting the travel or the Wind-up roll shaft in both directions.

4. An apparatus for winding non-porous lm comprising in combination, a film wind-up roll mounted for rotation and reciprocable movement transverse of the direction of film travel, roller means mounted transverse of the direction of film travel and preceding the wind-up roll along the path of the film, an electronic circuit comprising adjustably mounted photoelectric means positioned above the roller means,r lever means connecting the photoelectric means with the wind-up roll shaft for simultaneous transverse movement therewith, reversible motor means for moving the wind-up roll transverse of the iilrn travel, reversible starter means connected to the motor means, light increase responsive and light decrease responsive relay' means connected to and actuated by the electronic circuit, second relay means connected to each of the first-named relay means, and electrical means connecting the second relay means with the starter means.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the electrical means comprises thermal relay means.

6. An apparatus as defined.' in claim 5 wherein there are limit switch means positioned adjacent the wind-up roll shaft,v said limit switch means being connected in series with theV second relay means. and limiting the travel of the wind-up rollv shaft in both directions.

rI An apparatus for winding non-porousv nlm comprising in combination, a film wind-up roll mounted for rotation and reciprocable movement transverse of the direction oi film travel, roller means mounted transverse of the direction oi film travel and preceding the windup roll along; the path o thenlm, adjustablymounted photoelecttric means positioned above the roller means. lever means connecting' the photoelectric means with the windup roll shait for simultaneous transverse movement therewith, reversible. motor means adjacent the windup roll for moving the same transverse oi the direction ofY film travel, reversible starter means connected to the motor ineens, an electronic circuit connected to the photoelectrie means comprising a light increase-ra sponsive relay, alight decrease responsiverelay,

each of said relays having a normally open and a normally closed switch therein, a, set of relays connected to each mentioned relay, the normally closed switch of the light increase responsive relay being connected to the set of relays connected to the light decrease responsive relay and the normally closed switch of the light decrease responsive relay being connected to the set of relays connected to the light increase responsive relay, and electrical means connecting each set of relays with the starter means.

8. An apparatus as dened in claim 7 wherein each set of relays comprises a thermal relay.

9. An apparatus as dened in claim 8 wherein there is a limit switch connected in series with each thermal relay, said limit switches being positioned adjacent the windup roll shaft.

10. An apparatus as dened in claim 9 wherein there is a freely rotatable disc collared to the windup roll shaft and positioned so as to contact the limit switches to limit the travel of the windup roll shaft in both directions.

11. An apparatus for winding iilm comprising in combination, a lm Wind-up roll mounted for rotation and reciprocable movement transverse of the direction of film travel, roller means mounted transverse of the direction of film travel and preceding the wind-up roll along the path of the ilm, adjustably mounted photoelectric means positioned adjacent an edge of the path of the film near the wind-up roll, lever means connecting the photoelectric means with the wind-up roll shaft for simultaneous transverse movement therewith, means for reciprocating the wind-up roll transverse of the nlm travel, relay means for actuating the reciprocating means, an electronic circuit connecting the photoelectric means with the relay means, and electrical means connected to the relay means to continuously actuate the reciprocating means to reciprocate the wind-up roll back and forth through a predetermined distance.

12. An apparatus for winding a lm or web comprising a iilm wind-up core mounted for rotation and axial reciprocable movement transrotating the core, means for reciprocating the wind-up core axially, an electronic circuit comprising light-responsive photoelectric means positioned adjacent an edge of the path of the Iilm to the wind-up core, a support for the photoelectric means, a light source on said support for casting a beam of light adjacent the edge of the iilm for influencing the photoelectric means, means connecting the support with the core for to the wind-up core, a support for the reciprocating the support in a direction transverse of the lm edge simultaneously with the axial reciprocation of the core, said electronic circuit including two relays each of which is energized by the photoelectric means upon an appreciable change in light impulse to the photoelectric means, adjustable control means for predetermining the change in light impulse required to energize the respective relays, means actuated by the energization of said relays for reversing the reciprocating means, and a holding circuit associated with each relay for continuing to operate the reciprocating means in the same direction until suiiicient change in light impulse is received by the photoelectric means to energize the other relay.

13. An apparatus for winding a lm or web comprising a film wind-up core mounted for rotation and axial reciprocable movement transverse to the direction of film travel, means for rotating the core, means for reciprocating the wind-up core axially, an electronic circuit comprising light-responsive photoelectric means positioned adjacent an edge of the path ci the film photoelectric means, a light source on said support for casting a beam of light adjacent-the edge of the iilm for iniiuencing the photoelectric means, means connecting the support with the core for reciprocating the support in a direction transverse of the nlm edge simultaneously with the axial reciprocation of the core, a iirst relay in said electronic circuit energizable when light impulse to the photoelectric cell has increased above a predetermined value, a second relay in said electronic circuit energizable when light impulse to the photoelectric cell has decreased below a predetermined value, means in said circuit for controlling the dierence between said predetermined values, means actuated by the energization for reversing the reciprocating means, and a holding circuit for maintaining reciprocating movement of the core.

MICHAEL G. JONES.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,896,375 Roesen Feb. 7, 1933 1,972,075 Clark Sept. 4, 1934 2,203,706 Stockbarger June 11, 1940 2,220,737 Jones Nov. 5, 1940 2,356,567 Cockrell Aug. 22, 1944 2,399,418 Wood Apr. 30, 1946 of said relays 

